I am a CPA who came into this business having no knowledge of the business, and I have learned from some of the best over the years. “I’ve been on the outside looking in my entire career but have managed to become one of them. “I’m not a licensed funeral director or licensed cemeterian, if there is such a thing,” he said. It’s special to be recognized for his work as a supplier, Gober said. As his partner, I am incredibly blessed to be along for the ride.” It is wonderful to see him recognized with this honor that is so richly deserved. He wakes up each and every day trying to make the profession just a little bit better. “Besides his family and Alabama football, funeral service is his passion and his calling. “In that time, I don’t think I have met another person who cares more deeply for this noble profession than Doug,” he said. He appreciates applause or handshakes after his speech, but his ego has never driven him.”Ĭhris Cruger, CEO of The Foresight Companies, noted he’s known Gober for more than 25 years. On top of everything else, he’s never looked for accolades. Isard continued, “The beauty of what Doug has brought into this profession, is he’s brought a common-sense approach that doesn’t have his listeners feel stupid for not seeing it themselves. I say that because he’s been telling them now for 40 years. “He is a joy-filled character, who has loved every moment of his interaction with anyone in this profession. “Had God not created Doug, Walt Disney would have,” he said. We are honored to have the opportunity to recognize Doug’s remarkable contribution to death care with this prestigious award.”ĭan Isard, founder of The Foresight Companies, said he considers it an honor to call Gober a colleague, friend and partner. In a news release announcing Gober as the winner of the award, Price said, “The remarkable connection across all of Doug’s career is his commitment of time and passion to education in our profession.” He added, “His ideas, perspective, and innovations aren’t reserved for customers or paying clients, but freely shared with anyone who is interested in making our profession better. This is exactly the opposite of being convicted by a jury of your peers … it is very humbling for me.” This is strictly the highest honor bestowed on me in this business. The person calling him, Jim Price, chairman of the ICCFA Educational Foundation and the senior vice president of industry relations at Park Lawn Corp., told him the news. “I don’t think I have ever gotten a call of a business nature that took me so much by surprise as this did,” said Gober, who answered this writer’s spur-of-the moment call from an unknown number on a Friday evening. He never thought he had a chance to win the honor himself … but he has done exactly that. He’s attended the ceremony of every single winner since the award was introduced in 2014. The man who’ll be remembered for playing a large part in how funeral homes present merchandise and who was recently named the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association’s Educational Foundation’s Lasting Impact Award Winner is a certified public accountant and not a licensed funeral director or a cemeterian?ĭoug Gober, a partner at The Foresight Companies, played at the ceremonies of two of the previous award winners with the band the Cryptones.
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